Production of the anti-inflammatory compound 6-o-palmitoyl-3-O-β-D- glucopyranosylcampesterol by callus cultures of lopezia racemosa cav. (onagraceae)

Article abstract of DOI:10.3390/molecules19068679

Lopezia racemosa Cav. is a plant used in Mexican traditional medicine to heal inflammatory diseases. From this plant we isolated the novel compound 6-O-palmitoyl- 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosylcampesterol (1) and 6-O-palmitoyl-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β- sitosterol (2), previously reported to have cytotoxic activity on several cancer cell lines. We evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of 1 in vivo by mouse ear edema induced with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and 57.14% inhibition was observed. The aim of our study was to obtain callus cultures derived from this plant species with the ability to produce the compounds of interest. Callus cultures were initiated on MS basal medium amended with variable amounts of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), combined or not with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP). Ten treatments with these growth regulators were carried out, using in vitro germinated seedlings as source of three different explants: hypocotyl, stem node, and leaf. Highest yield of 1 was observed on callus derived from leaf explants growing in medium containing 1.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/L BAP. Selected callus lines produced less 1 than wild plants but the in vitro cultured seedlings showed higher production. So we conclude that it could be attractive to further investigate their metabolic potential.

Full text of DOI:10.3390/molecules19068679

Molecules 2014, 19, 8679-8690; doi:10.3390/molecules19068679
OPEN ACCESS
molecules
ISSN 1420-3049
www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules
Article
Production of the Anti-Inflammatory Compound 6-O-Palmitoyl-
3-O-β-D-glucopyranosylcampesterol by Callus Cultures of
Lopezia racemosa Cav. (Onagraceae)
Roberta Salinas 1, Jesús Arellano-García 1, Irene Perea-Arango 1, Laura Álvarez 2,
María Luisa Garduño-Ramírez 2, Silvia Marquina 2, Alejandro Zamilpa 3
and Patricia Castillo-España 1,*
1
Centro de Investigación en Biotecnología, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av.
Universidad 1001, Cuernavaca CP 62209, Morelos, Mexico; E-Mails: robertsm76@gmail.com (R.S.);
jesus.arellano@uaem.mx (J.A.-G.); iperea@uaem.mx (I.P.-A.)
2
Centro de Investigaciones Químicas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Av.
Universidad 1001, Cuernavaca CP 62209, Morelos, Mexico; E-Mails: lalvarez@uaem.mx (L.Á.);
lgarduno@uaem.mx (M.L.G.-R.); smarquina21@hotmail.com (S.M.)
3
Centro de Investigación Biomédica del Sur, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Argentina No. 1,
Xochitepec CP 62790, Morelos, Mexico; E-Mail: azamilpa_2000@yahoo.com.mx
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: castillo@uaem.mx;
Tel.: +52-777-329-7057; Fax +52-777-329-7030.
Received: 7 May 2014; in revised form: 13 June 2014 / accepted: 16 June 2014 /
published: 24 June 2014
Abstract: Lopezia racemosa Cav. is a plant used in Mexican traditional medicine to heal
inflammatory diseases. From this plant we isolated the novel compound 6-O-palmitoyl-
3-O-β-D-glucopyranosylcampesterol (1) and 6-O-palmitoyl-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-
sitosterol (2), previously reported to have cytotoxic activity on several cancer cell lines.
We evaluated the anti-inflammatory activity of 1 in vivo by mouse ear edema induced with
12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and 57.14% inhibition was observed. The
aim of our study was to obtain callus cultures derived from this plant species with the
ability to produce the compounds of interest. Callus cultures were initiated on MS
basal medium amended with variable amounts of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), or
2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), combined or not with 6-benzylaminopurine
(BAP). Ten treatments with these growth regulators were carried out, using in vitro
germinated seedlings as source of three different explants: hypocotyl, stem node, and leaf.
Highest yield of 1 was observed on callus derived from leaf explants growing in medium

Molecules 2014, 19
containing 1.0 mg/L 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/L BAP. Selected callus lines produced less 1 than
8680
wild plants but the in vitro cultured seedlings showed higher production. So we conclude
that it could be attractive to further investigate their metabolic potential.
Keywords: Lopezia racemoza Cav.; calli; anti-inflammatory activity; TPA; cytotoxic activity
1. Introduction
Plants are an important source of new products with medicinal value for drug development.
Nowadays several chemicals derived from plants are drugs currently used in many countries around
the world [1]. The search for new plant-derived chemicals should be a priority in current and future
efforts toward sustainable conservation and rational utilization of biodiversity [2]. There are some
biotechnological approaches to produce large amounts of desirable medicinal compounds from plants,
particularly, plant tissue culture have potential as an alternative to traditional agriculture for industrial
production of bioactive plant metabolites [3]. Some strategies using in vitro systems had been
extensively studied to improve the production of plant chemicals with anticancer activity such as taxol,
docetaxel, camptothecin, podophyllotoxin, vincristin and vinblastine. These substances have complex
chemical structures and despite advances in synthetic chemistry its production still depends directly or
indirectly on semi-synthesis from biological sources [4].
According to the World Health Organization 2012 report, cancer was the cause of 8.2 million
deaths worldwide. Increase in world population is raising the demand for medicines and new drugs to
cope with cancer and other diseases [5,6]. Since inflammation is a suffering closely linked to diseases
like cancer, finding of anti-inflammatory drugs could be useful to discover new drugs with anticancer
activity. Plants are an alternative source of new active principles to treat symptoms of chronic
inflammation associated or not with benign or malignant neoplasm. Lopezia recemosa commonly
known as punch herb or cancer herb is a plant used in Mexican traditional medicine to heal
inflammatory diseases [7]. A recent report showed that some fractioned extracts of this plant possess
antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities [8].
Figure 1. Chemical structure of compounds 1 and 2.
16''
16''
29
21
28
27
21
28
18
18
20
20
25
25
O
O
27
26
19
26
19
1''
1''
O
O
O
O
RO
RO
5
HO
5
3
3
O
O
HO
1'
1'
OH
OR
1
R = H
2
1a R = Ac

Molecules 2014, 19
8681
In this paper we report the bioassay-guided chromatographic purification of the novel anti-
inflammatory compound 6-O-palmitoyl-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosylcampesterol (1), together with the
known 6-O-palmitoyl-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-sitosterol (2) (Figure 1). Also, the in vitro cultured
seedlings and calli cultures derived from different tissues of L. racemosa, able to produce 1, are described.
2. Results and Discussion
2.1. Bioassay-Guided Chromatographic Purification and Characterization of Compound 1
In a bioassay-guided study carried out to evaluate some previously obtained anti-inflammatory
activity of L. racemosa extracts, the hexane (SMH), dichloromethane (SMD) and methanol (SMM)
extracts were tested by the in vivo model of mouse ear inflammation induced with TPA as reported by
Qadeer, G et al. [9]. Our results showed that the extract with higher anti-inflammatory activity was
SMD, with 58.3% of inhibition (Table 1). Then the SMD extract was fractionated by column
chromatography obtaining one active fraction (LR50B) which displayed 86.26% inhibition of the
inflammation. Later on this fraction was subjected to rechromatography and our novel compound 1
was obtained mixed with 6-O-palmitoyl-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-sitosterol (2). This acyl glucosyl
sterol mixture was obtained with a ratio of 23:1, respectively. Finally, the isolation of 1 was achieved
by precipitating with acetone and recrystallizing, and it was characterized as its triacetyl derivative 1a.
Compound 2 was obtained in pure form by HPLC purification and was identified on the basis of the
comparison of its spectroscopic data with those of the described. This compound has cytotoxic activity
on several cancer cell lines such as breast, prostate, T-cell leukemia and Burkitt lymphoma [10].
Table 1. Anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts, fractions LR50 A-H and compound 1.
Percentage of Anti-Inflammatory Activity
Sample
IC50 (mg/ear)
(1 mg/ear)
16.81 ± 0.96
58.40 ± 1.63
48.74 ± 1.01
35.30 ± 1.44
86.26 ± 1.89
−30.72 ± 1.49
19.47 ± 2.21
11.26 ± 2.57
33.78 ± 2.54
31.30 ± 1.48
57.14 ± 1.81
91.35 ± 0.87
SMM a
SMD b
>1
0.93 ± 0.06
SMH c
>1
LR50A
>1
ND e
>1
LR50B
LR50C
LR50D
>1
LR50F
>1
LR50G
>1
LR50H
>1
1 d
0.45 ± 0.08
INDOMETHACIN
0.14 ± 0.09
a
b
c
For all samples acetone was used as vehicle; Methanolic extract; Dichloromethane extract; Hexanoic
extract; d 6-O-palmitoyl-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosylcampesterol; e Not determinated.
Compound 1a gave a pseudomolecular ion [M+Na]+ peak at m/z 949.6738 by HRESIMS, indicating
the molecular formula C56H94O10Na. NMR spectral data showed the characteristic signals of
campesterol [δ 0.60 (3H, s, H-18), 0.91 (3H, s, H-19), 0.74 (6H, d, J = 7.2 Hz, H-25, H-26), , 0.72 (3H,
d, J = 6.5 Hz, H-28), 0.84 (3H, d, J = 6.4 Hz, H-21) ] with a hexose unit [99.7 (C-1'), 71.6 (C-2'), 73.0

Molecules 2014, 19
8682
(C-3'), 68.8 (C-4'), 71.8 (C-5'), and 62.1 (C-6')] and a long aliphatic chain [11]. The 13C-NMR
spectrum further indicated the presence of an ester carbonyl at δC 173.6, in addition to the three
carbonyl carbons from the acetates at 169.5, 169.56, and 170.5, as well as a long aliphatic chain
1
13
(δ 34.2, 29.8, 24.9, and 14.28). The H- and C-NMR data of 1a were almost identical to those of
compound 2 except that 1a contained a C-28 steroidal system ring of campesterol instead of
β-sitosterol on compound 2, which was supported by the ion peak at m/z 400.6 corresponding to the
aglycon, and at m/z 239 corresponding to the palmitoyl moiety, in the mass spectrum. Basic hydrolysis
of the natural product 1 afforded palmitic acid, identified by GC-MS analysis, while acid hydrolysis
yielded campesterol, identified by comparison with an authentic sample. HMBC correlations from
H-1' (δ 4.05) → C-2' (δ 71.6) and C-3 (δ 80.2) indicated that the sugar residue was attached at C-3 of
the campesterol aglycon. The aliphatic chain is attached at C-6’ position of the glucose unit through an
ester linkage. This fact was confirmed by the long range HMBC correlations observed between the
carbonyl carbon at δ 173.6 of the ester moiety and the diasterotopic protons H-6a and H-6b of the sugar
unit at δH 4.15 (1H, dd, J = 5.2, 12.0 Hz) and 4.05 (1H, dd, J = 2.4, 12.0 Hz). On the basis of the above
results the novel compound 1 was characterized as 6-O-palmitoyl-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-campesterol.
Compound 1 was evaluated by the same in vivo model of mouse ear edema induced by TPA and an
inhibition of 57.14% was observed as compared with indomethacin (91.35%). The IC50 values of the
anti-inflammatory activity were calculated using the GraphPad Prism® software; finding that the
values for compound 1 and indomethacin were 0.45 ± 0.08 and 0.14 ± 0.09, respectively (Table 1).
The anti-inflammatory activity difference between the fraction LR50B and isolated compound 1 could
be explained by a synergistic effect of both compounds in the mixture.
Due that the fact compound 1 is obtained in very low yield, and with the aim of obtaining different
lines of calli cultures of L. racemosa with the ability to produce the anti-inflammatory compound 1 at
concentrations higher or equal to those found in wild plants, but grown under controlled and
reproducible laboratory conditions, we undertook the production of different lines of calli cultures of
L. racemosa using different tissue culture techniques.
2.2. Callus Production
Callus formation started after one week on treatments containing any combination of NAA/BAP or
2,4-D/BAP in MS [12] culture medium. No response was observed to treatments lacking growth
regulators or the one containing BAP as the sole growth regulator, both in photoperiod or darkness.
Out of the forty eight culture combinations of treatments containing 2,4-D or NAA with or without
0.5 mg/L BAP, different explants and incubation conditions, only one did not produce callus during
the first week, while forty seven showed some callus development. However, after thirty days on
callus induction media, eleven of such combinations, mainly those explants grown on NAA/BAP,
showed morphogenetic responses, while all of those exposed to 2,4-D/BAP remained undifferentiated
(Table 2). Calli derived from each one of all these combinations were denominated lines. Each line
was named according with the origin of its explant, the nature of the plant growth regulator used and
its concentration, and their incubation condition.

Molecules 2014, 19
Table 2. Callus formation response in different combinations of plant growth regulators,
8683
explants, and incubation conditions that resulted in thirty seven different lines of
Lopezia racemosa Cav. calli after thirty days of culture.
Photoperiod
Darkness
Treatments (mg/L)
Leaf Stem Node Hypocotyl Leaf Stem Node Hypocotyl
1) NAA 0.5
L b
L a
L b
L b
L a
S b
S a
S b
S b
S ad
S a
S a
S a
S c
S c
H b
H a
H a
H a
H a
H a
H a
H a
H c
H c
L b
L a
L a
L a
L a
L a
L a
L a
L c
L c
S ad
S a
S b
S b
S ad
S a
S a
S a
S c
S c
H b
H a
H ad
H a
H a
H a
H a
H a
H c
H c
2) NAA 1.0/BAP 0.5
3) NAA 2.0/BAP 0.5
4) NAA 4.0/BAP 0.5
5) 2,4-D 0.5
6) 2,4-D 1.0/BAP 0.5 L ad
7) 2,4-D 2.0/BAP 0.5 L a
8) 2,4-D 4.0/BAP 0.5 L a
9) BAP 0.5
L c
L c
10) Without PGR
a
b
c
Explants that only produced calli; Explants with morphogenetic calli; Explants that did not respond;
d Selected calli.
2.3. Callus Lines Selection
Selection of calli was carried out by the phenotypic characteristics observed during subsequent
subcultures of the thirty seven lines obtained during the previous step. Lines showing oxidation
processes were discarded and lines which showed stable growth and friability appearance were
sub-cultivated during three months. Finally, only five lines were chosen based on their friability and
growth rate (Table 3): (1) SN0.5K; (2) HN2.0B0.5K; (3) SD0.5P; (4) SD0.5K and (5) LD1.0B0.5P.
Lines LD1.0B0.5P and SD0.5K, showed the faster process of callus induction, growth rate and
preserved the callus phenotype with more stability than others lines selected. All five lines growth
faster after the second month and produce enough biomass for compound 1 evaluation.
Table 3. Quantify of compound 1, in callus selected lines, wild plants and seedlings of
Lopezia racemosa Cav.
Biomass DCM Extract
µg of 1 in DCM
Extract ± SD
38.61 ± 3.16
µg of 1/g
Callus Line or Source of 1
DW(g)
2.25
(mg)
22.55
Biomass ± SD
17.17 ± 1.38
45.80 ± 1.53
110.83 ± 19.40
160.61 ± 4.61
173.98 ± 23.09
SN0.5K
HN2.0/B0.5K
SD0.5P
3.34
21.45
153.21 ± 5.13
289.27 ± 50.64
493.09 ± 14.26
678.54 ± 90.08
2.61
37.41
SD0.5K
3.07
36.85
LD1.0/B0.5P
Wild Plants
Seedlings
3.91
73.15
3170.01
10.81
31,304.01
124.21
4,935,000.60 ± 3377.22 1556.80 ± 103.92
23,070.60 ± 1292.98 2130.13 ± 120.02
S = Stem node; H = Hypocotyl; L = Leaf; N = NAA; D = 2,4-D; B = BAP; K = Darkness; P = Photoperiod.

Molecules 2014, 19
8684
2.4. Compound 1 Production
A calibration curve for 1 was generated from purified samples and it was used to quantify the DCM
extracts from the five calli lines selected and established. The callus line with greater production of
biomass (3.91 g) and 1 (174.0 µg/g of biomass) was LD1.0B0.5P (Table 3). However, all five callus
line cultures selected produced 1, despite the fact they were cultivated under different illumination
conditions, which indicate that 1 is produced in both conditions photoperiod and continuous darkness,
regardless of the explants and the plant growth regulator concentration. However, it is clear that all
three calli selected lines growing in the presence of 2,4-D, grew faster and produced more 1 than those
growing in the presence of NAA. From our results it is clear that this plant species has the potential to
produce 1 and that this compound is produced in all evaluated calli lines, but they produce
significantly less 1 than wild plants. However, the fact that the in vitro culture seedlings showed higher
production than wild plants (Figure 2), could be attractive to investigate the in vitro metabolic capacity
of different tissues of this plant species to produce compound 1.
Figure 2. HPLC patterns showing the presence of compound 1 in: (A) Wild plant, and (B)
In vitro culture seedlings, in comparison with (C) Compound 1 isolated from wild plant of
L. racemosa.
Conditions: Lichrospher Si 60 (258 × 5 mm Merck) column, mobile phase:
propane-2-ol:n-hexane (20:80 v/v); flow rate, 1.0 mL/min−1. A long wave of 205 nm was
used to detect compound 1.

Molecules 2014, 19
8685
3. Experimental
3.1. Chemical Experimental Procedures
Optical rotations were measured in CH3OH on a Perkin-Elmer 241 digital polarimeter at 25 °C. IR
data were recorded using a Vector 22 Bruker spectrophotometer. All NMR spectra were acquired with
a Varian–Unit 400 at 400 MHZ in CDCl3. Chemical shift are reported in parts per million (ppm)
relative to tetramethylsilane (TMS) as reference. EIMS and HRESIMS data were obtained using a
JEOL JMS-AX 505 HA instrument equipped with electrospray ionization (ESI) source. All MS
experiments were performed in positive ion mode. HPLC analysis were performed on a Waters Delta
prep 4000 instrument (Water Co., Milford, MA, USA) equipped with a U6K injector, 606 E pump,
Millenium 3.2 software and 966 diode array detector.
3.2. Plant Material
Plants and mature fruits were collected in February 2010 from 30 km of the Mexico-Cuernavaca
federal road in Morelos, Mexico. A voucher specimen has been deposited at HUMO-Herbarium of the
Biodiversity and Conservation Research Center of the Autonomous University of Morelos State at
Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico. The plant material was identified by Gabriel Flores Franco of
HUMO-Herbarium and was registered with the code number 22029. Seeds were obtained from
screening fruits and were preserved at 4 °C.
3.3. Extraction and Isolation of 1 from Wild Plant
Whole foliage dry plant material (2.5 kg) was extracted sequentially with hexane, dichloromethane
(CH2Cl2) and methanol. The dichloromethane fraction was evaporated to dryness to afford the
crude extract (21 g), which was fractionated by 70–230 mesh silica gel using CH2Cl2-
acetone−CH2Cl2−MeOH gradient elution. The fraction eluted with 80:20 CH2Cl2–acetone (1.8 g) was
separated by column chromatography (CC) eluting with CH2Cl2-acetone, to afford six fractions:
LR50A, 0.0370 g (100:0)), LR50B 0.0703 g (99:1, 98.5:1.5, 97:03), LR50C, 0.0638 g (96:04),
LR50D, 0.1010 g (95:05), LR50E, 0.0854 g (90:10), LR50F, 0.2520 g (80:20), LR50G, 0.0420 g
(70:30), LR50H, 0.1243 g (60:40). Fraction LR50B (70.3 mg) was separated by column
chromatography (CC) eluting with hexane–ethyl acetate. Fractions eluting with 96:4 hexane–ethyl acetate
contained a mixture of two compounds, an aliquot of this fraction was re-crystallized from acetone to
give 7 mg of compound 1, and 5 mg of compound 2. Compound 2 was further purified by HPLC on a
Lichrospher Si 60 (258 × 5 mm Merck) column with propane-2-ol:n-hexane, 20:80 v/v as isocratic
eluent system and a flow rate of 1.0 mL min−1, to afford 2 mg of compound 2 (Tr = 4.7 min). The other
part of the fraction was acetylated with acetic anhydride (2 mL) and pyridine (1 mL), the residue was
quenched with 3 mL of water and extracted with dichloromethane, Si-gel chromatographic
purification, using a isocratic mixture of n-hexane/EtOAc (95:5) afforded 25 mg of 1a [10].

Molecules 2014, 19
3.4. Compound 1a
8686
Colorless waxy solid (CHCl3); mp 118–120 °C; [α]2D5 +0.076 (c 0.1, CHCl3); IR (Nujol) νmax
1756.8 cm−1; 1H-NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz): δH 5.28 (1H, d, J = 4.8 Hz, H-6), 5.13 (1H, t, J = 10.0 Hz,
H-3'), 4.05 (1H, d, J = 7.6 Hz, H-1'), 4.97 (1H, t, J = 9.2 Hz, H-4'), 4.88, (1H, t, J = 9.6 Hz, H-2'), 4.15
(1H, dd, J = 5.2, 12.0 Hz, H-6'a), 4.05 (1H, dd, J = 2.1, 12.0 Hz, H-6'b), 3.61 (1H, ddd, J = 2.4, 5.6,
10.0 Hz, H-5'), 3.41 (1H, m, H-3), 2.25 (2H, m, H-2''), 2.16 (2H, m, H-4), 1.98 (3H, s, CH3CO), 1.95
(3H, s, CH3CO), 1.93 (3H, s, CH3CO), 1.94 (2H, m, H-12), 1.8 (2H, m, H-2), 1.60 (1H, m, H-25),
1.58 (2H, m, H-3''), 1.57 (2H, m, H-15), 1.44 (2H, m, H-11), 1.40 (1H, m, H-8), 1.33 (1H, m, H-20),
1.26 (2H, m, H-22), 1.25 (24H, m, aliphatic chain), 1.2 (2H, m, H-7), 1.18 (2H, m, H-28), 1.16 (2H, m,
H-16), 1.06 (1H, m, H-17), 0.98 (2H, m, H-1), 0.94 (1H, m, H-14), 0.91 (3H, s, H-19), 0.86 (1H, m,
H-24), 0.84 (3H, d, J = 6.4 Hz, H-9, H-21), 0.80 (3H, t, J = 6.8 Hz, H-29), 0.77 (3H, t, J = 6.0 Hz,
H-16''), 0.75 (6H, s, H-26, H-27), 0.60 (3H, m, H-18); 13C NMR (CDCl3, 100 MHz): δC 173.6 (C-1''),
169.5 (COCH3), 169.56 (COCH3), 170.5 (COCH3), 140.4 (C-5), 122.3 (C-6), 99.7 (C-1'), 80.2 (C-3),
73.0 (C-3'), 71.8 (C-5'), 71.6 (C-2'), 68.8 (C-4'), 62.1 (C-6'), 56.8 (C-14), 56.2 (C-17), 50.2 (C-9), 45.9
(C-24), 42.4 (C-13), 39.8 (C-12), 39.0 (C-4), 37.3 (C-1), 36.8 (C-10), 36.2 (C-20), 34.3 (C-2''), 34.0
(C-22), 32.1 (C-7), 32.0 (C-8), 29.2 (C-25), 28.3 (C-2), 26.1 (C-16), 24.9 (C-3''), 24.4 (C-15), 21.1 (C-11),
20.89 (CH3CO), 20.82 (CH3CO), 20.7 (CH3CO), 19.9 (C-27), 19.4 (C-26), 19.1 (C-19), 18.9 (C-21),
14.3 (C-16''), 12.2 (C-28), 11.9 (C-18) ; HRESIMS m/z 949.6738 (calcd for C56H94O10Na, 949.6744).
3.5. Compound 2
1
Colorless amorphous powder; IR (Nujol) vmax 1748.2 cm−1; H-NMR (CDCl3, 400 MHz): δH 5.21
(1H, m, H-6), 4.12 (1H, d, J = 7.5 Hz, H-1'), 4.07 (1H, m, H-2'), 3.59 (1H, m, H-3), 3.43 (1H, m, H-3'),
3.36 (1H, m, H-6'a), 3.33 (1H, m, H-6'b), 3.30 (1H, m, H-4'), 3.21 (1H, ddd, J = 2.0, 6.4, 8.8 Hz, H-5'),
2.25 (2H, m, H-2''), 1.18 (2H, m, H-28), 0.89 (3H, s, H-19), 0.82 (3H, d, J = 7.0 Hz, H-21), 0.77 (3H,
t, J = 6.5 Hz, H-16''), 0.73 (6H, d, J = 6.8 Hz, H-26, H-27), 0.70 (3H, m, H-18); 13C NMR (CDCl3, 100
MHz): δC 174.3 (C-1''), 140.4 (C-5), 122.2 (C-6), 101.4 (C-1'), 79.9 (C-3), 76.3 (C-3'), 73.5 (C-5'),
70.6 (C-2'), 68.3 (C-4'), 63.8 (C-6'), 57.0 (C-14), 56.4 (C-17), 50.3 (C-9), 46.0 (C-24), 42.5 (C-13),
40.0 (C-12), 39.1 (C-4), 37.5 (C-1), 36.9 (C-10), 36.4 (C-20), 34.5 (C-2''), 34.2 (C-22), 32.2 (C-7),
32.1 (C-8), 29.4 (C-25), 28.5 (C-2), 26.4 (C-16), 25.2 (C-3''), 24.5 (C-15), 22.8 (C-28), 21.3 (C-11),
20.0 (C-27), 19.6 (C-26), 19.3 (C-19), 19.0 (C-21), 14.4 (C-16''), 12.2 (C-29). These data match those
in the literature [10].
3.6. Acid Hydrolysis of Compound 1
Compound 1 (2 mg) was heated with aqueous 2 mol/L HCl–1,4-dioxane (1:1, 2 mL) at 80 °C for
6 h. The aglycon was extracted with chloroform, and analyzed by GC/MS using a sample of
campesterol as standard.

Molecules 2014, 19
8687
3.7. Seed Germination and Obtaining Axenic Seedling
Prior to in vitro culture, mature seeds were surface sterilized in smalls bags of filter paper dipped in
70% (v/v) ethanol for 1 min, followed by 15% (v/v) domestic bleach solution (6% active chlorine)
under constant agitation for 15 min, then rinsed four times with sterile distilled water. All this process
was carried out in laminar flow hood. Sterile seeds were transferred to baby food jars containing
half-strength MS [12] medium salts and organic components, 1.5% (w/v) of sucrose, 0.1% (w/v)
activated charcoal, 0.4% (w/v) Phytagel, without plant growth regulators, pH adjusted to 5.6 ± 0.1,
previous to autoclaving at 108 kPa and 121 °C for 20 min. To determine the best conditions for
germination and seedling development, the cultures were incubated on two different light conditions:
16/8 h (light/dark) photoperiod under white light (27 mmol m2 s−1) at 24 °C, or continuous darkness
(baby jars wrapped with aluminium foil) at 24 °C. Three replicates containing ten seeds for each
condition were carried out. Monitoring of seed germination was done using stereoscopic microscopy
(Motic Digital Microscope DM 143, Richmond, British Columbia, Canada).
3.8. Callus Induction
Thirty day old axenic seedlings growing in photoperiod were used as the source of the three
different explants used: leaf, hypocotyl and stem node. Each type of explant was cut around 10 mm
long. The culture medium used to perform the process of callus induction consisted of full-strength
MS, 3% (w/v) sucrose, 100 mg L−1 myo-inositol, pH 5.6 ± 0.1, 0.4% (w/v) Phytagel, and supplemented
with variable concentrations of NAA or 2,4-D (0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 mg L−1) without or in combination
with BAP (0.5 mg L−1), to determine the best auxin-cytokinin combination and concentration, and the
best explant type for callus induction. Each treatment consisted of five baby food jars, and three
explants of each type per flask. This step was performed and maintained for 30 days in two
environmental conditions: photoperiod 16/8 h (light/darkness) provided by cold fluorescent lamps
(54 mmol m2 s−1) at 24 ± 1 °C and continuous darkness at 24 ± 1 °C. The effect of different
auxin/cytokinin combinations on callus production was evaluated based on the appearance, the
consistency, and the fresh weight of the produced calli, in each treatment (data not shown).
3.9. Calli Selection
From the established cultures, five lines were selected according with their displayed phenotype and
their growth rate. The selected lines were: SN0.5K (0.5 μg L−1 NAA), HN2.0B0.5K (2.0 NAA/0.5 μg L−1
BAP), SD0.5P (0.5 μg L−1 2,4-D), SD0.5K (0.5 μg L−1 2, 4-D) and LD1.0B0.5P (1.0 μg L−1
2,4-D/0.5 μg L−1 BAP). Callus tissue was subcultured monthly for 60 days in the same conditions
before described.
3.10. Extraction of 1 from Selected Callus Lines
Calli were harvested and appropriately dried several times during culture to have enough plant
material from each selected line. Then the dried callus material derived from each selected line was
pulverized manually and separately subjected to two successive macerations with 200 mL hexane and
with 200 mL of dichloromethane at room temperature. Afterwards the dichloromethane extracts were

Molecules 2014, 19
8688
evaporated to dryness under vacuum at 38 °C in a rotaevaporator (Buchi R-200, Flawil, Switzerland),
reconstituted in an HPLC solvent system of propane-2-ol:n-hexane (20:80 v/v), filtered through
acrodiscs (pore size 0.4 mm), and applied to an HPLC column.
3.11. Identification and Quantification of Compound 1 in Selected Calli Lines
Thin layer chromatography for identification of 1 was done on silica gel using dichloromethane–acetone
(70:30) as the mobile phase. Spots were visualized by ammonium ceric sulphate. High pressure liquid
chromatography was performed using a Waters Delta prep 4000 chromatograph equipped with a
Waters 717 plus Autosampler and 996 photodiode array, and refractive index detectors (Waters Co.,
Milford, MA), and a Lichrosfer Si 60 258 × 4 mm, and a 5 mm (Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) column.
The analysis was run under isocratic conditions (propane-2-ol:n-hexane, 20:80 v/v) at a flow rate of
1.0 mL/min, and using 20 µL sample injections. Suitable calibration curve for quantification of the in vitro
compounds were constructed using the active product of the wild plant as a standard. The compound
was dissolved in the mobile phase at concentrations of 35.75, 71.50, 143.00, 286.00 and 572.00 µg mL−1
and had a retention time of 5.6 min (λ = 205 nm). A fourfold concentration of analyte solution was
injected in three replicates; the calibration curve was constructed by plotting the peak areas versus the
concentration of 1, to yield an equation y = 2,418.2x + 49,039 (r2 = 0.9978). The calibration curves
were based on the peak areas of the HPLC chromatograms. Retention time peaks of compound 1 from
in vitro culture seedlings and all calli cultures were compared with that of the authentic 1 isolated from
wild plant. Values were expressed as percentages on the basis of µg of 1/biomass dry weight in grams.
3.12. Model of Mice Ear Inflammation Induced with TPA
Mouse ear edema was evaluated following the described protocol. All experiments were carried out
using six animals per treatment. Adult male CD-1 mice with a body weight ranging from 25–30 g were
used. Experiments were performed according to the Official Mexican Rule: NOM-062-ZOO-1999
Guidelines (Technical Specifications for the Production, Care, and Use of Laboratory Animals) and
international ethical guidelines for the care and use of experimental animals. Mice were maintained
under standard laboratory conditions (Bioterio-UAEM) at 22 °C ± 3 °C, 70% ± 5% of humidity, 12 h
light/dark cycle and food/water ad libitum.
A negative control group received acetone as vehicle and indomethacin was used as
anti-inflammatory drug as positive control group. Finally, the extracts, fractions and compounds were
tested by separate treatment groups.
Animal ear inflammation was induced with 2.5 µg of TPA dissolved in 20 µL of acetone applied to
the internal and external surface of the right ear to cause edema. Sample doses of 1 mg/ear of the
extracts, fractions, and compound 1, as well as the anti-inflammatory drug of reference (indomethacin)
were applied. All the samples of the different treatments were dissolved in acetone and applied
topically on the right ear immediately after TPA application; on the left ear acetone was applied as
vehicle. Four hours after application of the samples of interest as possible anti-inflammatory agents,
the animals of each treatment were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Circular sections of 6 mm in
diameter were taken from both: the treated (t) and the non-treated (nt) ears, which were weighed to
determine the inflammation. Percentage of inhibition was determined by the formula expressed below:

Molecules 2014, 19
8689
∆w treatment
∆w
Inhibition% = ꢀ∆w control −
ꢁ × 100
(1)
where ∆w = wt − wnt; being wt the weight of the section of the treated ear and wnt the weight of the
section of the non-treated ear. The IC50 values of the anti-inflammatory activity were calculated using
GraphPad Prism® software.
4. Conclusions
This work demonstrate that it is possible to obtain calli cultures and selected calli lines derived from
different tissues of L. racemosa Cav, that produce the compound 1, which is a novel compound that
possesses anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, we found that in vitro cultured seedlings are able to
produce higher amounts of 1 than wild plants. There are several strategies to increase the production of
secondary metabolites which are produced by tissue culture techniques. However the first step is to
obtain plant cell lines that have the ability to produce the compound of interest. Based on our
achievements, it could be interesting to test elicitors to increase the production of 1 and other strategies
such as the massive production of plantlets with the ability to produce this compound or obtaining
hairy roots by genetic transformation.
Acknowledgments
This research was supported by CONACyT (SEP-2003-C02-43440/280, 56431, 82851) and
PROMEP-SEP. R. Salinas is grateful to CONACyT 217256
Author Contributions
Laura Alvarez, Roberta Salinas, Silvia Marquina and Alejandro Zamilpa performed the phytochemical
analysis, solved the molecular structure and quantified the isolated compounds, and discussed the data;
Roberta Salinas, Jesús Arellano-García, Irene Perea-Arango and Patricia Castillo-España, designed the
experiments for callus induction, obtained the callus cultures, selected the callus lines and propagated
the callus cultures to produce biomass and discussed the data; María Luisa Garduño, performed the
in vivo antiinflamatory assay and discussed the data. All authors have given approval to the final
version of the manuscript.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest
References
1. Mulabagal, V.; Hsin-Sheng, T. Plant Cell Cultures: An Alternative and Efficient Source for the
Production of Biologically Important Secondary Metabolites. Int. J. App. Sci. Eng. 2004, 2, 29–48.
2. Karuppusamy, S. A review on trends in production of secondary metabolites from higher plants
by in vitro tissue, organ and cell cultures. J. Med. Plants Res. 2009, 3, 1222–1239.
3. Rao, S.R.; Ravishankar, G.A. Plant cell cultures: Chemical factories of secondary metabolites.
Biotechnol. Adv. 2002, 20, 101–153.

Molecules 2014, 19
8690
4. Oksman-Caldentey, K.M.; Inze, D. Plant cell factories in the post-genomic era: New ways to
produce designer secondary metabolites. Trends Plant. Sci. 2004, 9, 433–440.
5. Bhanot, A.; Sharma, R.; Noolvi, M.N. Natural sources as potential anti-cancer agents: A review.
Inter. J. Phytomed. 2011, 3, 9–26.
6. Rodzi, R.; Cheah, Y.L.; Ooi1, K.K.; Othman, F.; Mohtarrudin, N.; Tohid, S.F.; Suhaili, Z.;
Zakaria, Z.A. Chemopreventive potential of methanol extract of Dicranopteris linearis leaf on
DMBA/croton oil-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis. Afr. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 2013, 7,
2484–2498.
7. Alonso-Castro, A.J.; Villarreal, M.L.; Salazar-Olivo, L.A.; Gomez-Sanchez, M.; Dominguez, F.;
Garcia-Carranca, A. Mexican medicinal plants used for cancer treatment: Pharmacological,
phytochemical and ethnobotanical studies. J. Ethnopharm. 2011, 133, 945–972.
8. Cruz Paredes, C.; Bolívar Balbás, P.; Gómez-Velasco, A.; Hernández, L.R.; Juárez, Z.N.;
Sánchez Arreola, E.; Bach, H. Antimicrobial, Antiparasitic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Cytotoxic
Activities of Lopezia racemosa. Sci. World J. 2013, 2013, 237438:1–237438:6.
9. Qadeer, G.; Rama, N.H; Hill, R.A; Garduño-Ramírez, M.L. Synthesis and anti-inflammatory
activity of fluorinated isocoumarins and 3,4 dihydroisocoumarins. J. Fluorine Chem. 2007, 128,
641–646.
10. Rubnov, S.; Kashman, Y.; Rabinowitz, R.; Schlesinger, M. Suppresors of Cancer Cell
Proliferation from Fig (Ficus. carica) Resin: Isolation and structure elucidation. J. Nat. Prod.
2001, 64, 993–996.
11. Frenkel, M.; Marsh, K.N. Spectral Data for Steroids; TRC Data Series; TRC: College Station,
TX, USA, 1994; p. 530.
12. Murashige, T.; Skoog, F. A revised medium for rapid growth and bioassays with tobacco tissue
culture. Physiol. Plant. 1962, 15, 473–497.
Sample Availability: Samples of the compound 1 are available from the authors.
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article
distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).